plug connector

Abstract

A plug connector includes a terminal module and a cable. The terminal module includes a pair of sub-units. Each sub-unit includes a row of terminals arranged in a longitudinal direction and an insulator that secures the terminals. The terminals include differential pair terminals and ground terminals. Each terminal includes a contact portion extending forward and a tail portion extending rearward. The tail portion of the ground terminals is integrally connected to a crossbar. The cable includes a conductive core soldered to the tail portions of the differential pair terminals and a shield layer mechanically and electrically connected to the crossbar. The plug connector further includes a pair of ground members. Each ground member is secured to a corresponding sub-unit. The ground member includes a plurality of front spacers and a plurality of rear spacers. The rear spacers are connected to the shield layer of the corresponding cable. The front spacers are connected to the tail portions of the corresponding ground terminals. The ground members of the present invention have multiple grounding points, which effectively improve electrical performance.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to plug connectors. [Background Technology]

[0002] Plug connectors are typically attached to cables, while socket connectors are usually soldered onto circuit boards. Currently, plug connections generally use daughter clips, where gold fingers are located on different edges of a circuit board. These gold fingers are connected by circuitry; one end of the gold fingers inserts into the socket connector, while the other end connects to the cable. However, plug connectors using daughter clips tend to be larger in size. More and more systems are now using cables instead of circuit boards for high-speed signal transmission, but this inevitably increases the demands on high-frequency performance.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved electrical connector assembly to solve the above problems. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The technical solution to be solved by the present invention is to provide a plug connector that improves electrical performance.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a plug connector, comprising a terminal module and a cable, wherein the terminal module comprises a pair of sub-units, each sub-unit comprising a row of terminals arranged along the longitudinal direction and an insulator fixing the terminals, the terminals comprising differential pair terminals and ground terminals, each terminal comprising a forward-extending contact portion and a rearward-extending tail portion, the tail portion of the ground terminal being integrally connected to a crossbar, the cable comprising a conductive core soldered to the tail portion of the differential pair terminals, and a shielding layer mechanically and electrically connected to the crossbar; the plug connector further comprises a pair of grounding members, each grounding member being fixed to a corresponding sub-unit, the grounding member comprising a plurality of front spacers and a plurality of rear spacers, the rear spacers being connected to the shielding layer of the corresponding cable, and the front spacers being connected to the tail portion of the corresponding ground terminal.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the grounding component of the present invention has multiple grounding points, which can effectively improve electrical performance. [Attached Image Description]

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the socket connector and the plug connector are separate from each other.

[0008] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the two connectors after they are mated.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Exploded 3D view of the plug connector.

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 3 Another perspective exploded view.

[0011] Figure 5 is Figure 4 Further exploded perspective view of the middle terminal module and the grounding piece.

[0012] Figure 6 is Figure 5 Further exploded perspective view.

[0013] Figure 7 is Figure 5 Perspective view of the middle terminal module.

[0014] Figure 8 is Figure 7 Partial enlarged view of the middle terminal module.

[0015] Figure 9 is Figure 5 Further exploded perspective view of the terminal module.

[0016] Figure 10 is Figure 9 Perspective view of the middle terminal and the horizontal bar.

[0017] Figure 11 is Figure 7 Top view of the middle terminal module.

[0018] Figure 12 is Figure 1 Perspective exploded view of the middle receptacle connector.

[0019] Figure 13 is Figure 12 Perspective exploded view of the middle terminal module and the grounding piece.

[0020] Figure 14 is Perspective exploded view of the plug connector of the second embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 15 is

[0022] Perspective view of the plug connector of the third embodiment of the present application, in which the receptacle connector and the plug connector are separated from each other. Figure 16 Figure 15 Cross-sectional view of the two connectors after being mated.

[0023] Figure 17 is Figure 15 Perspective exploded view of the middle receptacle connector.

[0024] Figure 18 is Figure 17 Further exploded perspective view.

[0025] Figure 19 Yes Figure 18 Isometric view of the further disassembly of the middle terminal module.

[0026] Figure 20 Yes Figure 15 Isometric exploded view of the middle plug connector.

[0027] Figure 21 Isometric exploded view of the fixing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 22 Isometric exploded view of the fixing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The following specific embodiments will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above drawings.

Specific Embodiments

[0030] For better understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] Refer Figures 1 to 13 As shown, the first embodiment of the present invention discloses an electrical connector assembly 10, which includes a socket connector 100 and a plug connector 200 that are docked with each other. The socket connector is installed on a circuit board (not shown), so it can also be called a board-end connector. The rear end of the plug connector 200 is connected to a cable 250, so it can also be called a wire-end connector. It is inserted into the socket connector 100 along the docking direction to complete electrical connection. In this embodiment, the two connectors are docked in the vertical direction, that is, the docking direction is the vertical direction. At the same time, the cable extension direction of the plug connector is perpendicular to the docking direction of the connectors.

[0032] Refer Figures 3-11As shown, the plug connector 200 includes a terminal module 210 and a pair of housings 280, 282, the pair of housings form a receiving space 283, the terminal module 210 is received in the receiving space 283, the housing 280 is provided with a pair of holding slots 285 to receive the holding blocks 286 provided on the housing 282. The housing 280 is provided with an opening 281 to allow the cable 250 to extend through. The locking member 290 includes a pair of fixing portions 292, an operating portion 294 extending from the fixing portions 292, and a locking arm 292 located between the pair of fixing portions 292. The inner plate 2921 of the fixing portion 292 is fixed in the fixing slot 2821 provided on the outside of the housing 282. The locking arm 292 is an outwardly elastically deformed structure, and the distal end is provided with a pair of locking protrusions 296, which protrude towards the terminal module 210. The terminal module 210 is connected to a row of cables 250, each cable includes a conductive core 252 and a shielding layer 254. The terminal module 210 includes a pair of sub-units 220 stacked with each other, and a shielding plate 230 is clamped between the two sub-units 220.

[0033] Each sub-unit 220 includes a group of terminals 222 and an insulator 224 fixed to the terminals by injection molding. The terminals 222 are arranged in a row, including a plurality of ground terminals 227 and differential pair terminals 229, each adjacent two differential pair terminals form a differential terminal pair, the ground terminals and the differential terminal pairs are arranged alternately. The differential pair terminal 229 has a solder tail 228 connected to the conductive core 252, and all the ground terminals 227 are integrally connected to a crossbar 238 to form an integral structure, that is, the tail 228' of the ground terminal is integrally connected to the crossbar 238. The crossbar 238 is aligned and abuts against the shielding layer 252, and the rear of the crossbar is provided with a gap 226 for receiving or placing the cable 250.

[0034] The contact portion 2221 of the terminal 222 is exposed to the slot 237 provided on the insulator 224, so that it can be mated with the terminal 134 of the socket connector 100. Where confusion needs to be avoided, the terminal 222 of the plug connector can be named as plug terminal 222, and the terminal 134 of the socket connector can be named as socket terminal 134. A plurality of spaced ribs 239 of the insulator 224 form a channel (not labeled) for receiving the tail 228 and the conductive core 252 of the cable, in the channel, the tail and the conductive core are welded together. A pair of locking fingers 223 are located on both sides of the mating tongue plate 2241 and are spaced apart from the mating tongue plate 2241. The locking fingers are formed by extending forward from the insulator, and the rear end of the insulator is formed as a support portion 2242 for placing the crossbar, the front end of the cable, etc. The rear end of the insulator is provided with a gap 225 for receiving the cable 230. The insulator 224 is provided with a column 231 and a hole 233 for mating and fixing with the hole 233 and the column 231 of another insulator.

[0035] A pair of grounding members 240 are respectively fixed to the corresponding insulators 224. Each grounding member 240 is provided with a hole 244 that cooperates with a column 231 provided on the insulator for fixation. Each grounding member 240 further forms a number of rear partitions 242, which can be formed by stamping and bending, leaving a residual hole 241. During welding, the solder can pass through the residual hole 241 to weld the rear partition 242, the shielding layer 254, and the cross bar 238 together. Structurally, the shielding layer 254 is clamped between the grounding member 240 and the cross bar 238.

[0036] The differential pair terminals 229 are initially integrally connected to the cross bar 238. After injection molding, the tails 228 are cut off from the cross bar. The grounding member 240 is further provided with a front partition 247 that is mechanically and electrically connected to the tail 228' of the grounding terminal. The front and rear partitions are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction. The spacer rib 239 in the insulator between the differential pair terminals 227 and the grounding terminal 229 is removed to fully expose the tail 228' of the grounding terminal. In this embodiment, the spacer rib on the tail 228' of the grounding terminal is removed, making the tail 238' exposed. The additional front partition 247 provided on the grounding member 240 not only separates the tails 228 of the signal terminals but also mechanically and electrically connects the tail 228' of the grounding terminal 227, thus improving the electrical grounding performance. However, in any case, the spacer rib 239 of the insulator 224 separates the differential terminals to ensure welding.

[0037] Refer Figures 12-13 As shown, the socket connector 100 includes a body 110 made of insulating material, a terminal module 130 located inside the body, and a metal housing 120 covering the body. The terminal module 130 includes a pair of sub-units 131, and the two sub-units are stacked horizontally with each other. Each sub-unit 131 includes a terminal 134 and an insulator 132 formed by injection molding. The column 136 and hole 138 provided on the insulator 132 are mutually fixed with the holes and columns provided on the insulator of another sub-unit. A pair of grounding plates 140 commonly cover the two sub-units 131. Each grounding plate 140 is provided with a number of elastic fingers 142, and the elastic fingers 142 pass through the slots provided on the insulator and abut against the grounding terminals in the terminals 134. The insulating body 110 forms a docking cavity 114 that extends along the longitudinal direction and is used to accommodate the docking tongue plate 2241 of the terminal module 210 of the plug connector 200. A number of channels 115 are formed on the body 110 to respectively accommodate the terminals 134 one by one.

[0038] The two end walls 112 of the main body 110 are provided with a pair of locking grooves 119 for accommodating the locking fingers 223 of the plug connector subunit 220. A mating rib 118 is formed on the end wall 112, which engages with a mating opening 124 on the metal housing 120 for fixation. The metal housing 120 has a locking space 122 for accommodating the locking member 290 of the plug connector. The locking space 122 has a pair of locking holes 126 on one side for engaging with the locking protrusions 296 of the locking member 290. The metal housing 120 has a notch 127 for the corresponding locking arm 295 to pass through, and the locking holes 126 are located below the notch 127. The fixing part 292 includes an inner plate 2921 and an outer plate 2922. The inner plate 2921 is fixed in the fixing seam 2821, and the outer plate 2922 is accommodated in the locking space 122. The locking arm 295 passes through the notch 127 and reaches the outside of the metal housing 120. The locking protrusion 292 enters the locking hole 126.

[0039] Figure 14 The second embodiment is shown, which is largely the same as the first embodiment, with the same elements using the same reference numerals, and will not be described in detail again. Figure 14 In the middle, a transverse rib 2811 is connected above the opening 281. Figure 3 There is no horizontal bar in the middle, and the opening 281 runs upward through it.

[0040] Figures 15-20 The third embodiment of the electrical connector assembly 20 is shown, in which the socket connector 300 is horizontally mounted on the circuit board and the plug 400 is horizontally mated to the socket connector 400. The extension direction of the cable is parallel to the mating direction of the connector. The basic structure of the plug connector and the socket connector is the same as that of the first embodiment, with the main change being an adaptation to the different extension directions.

[0041] The main body 310 has a forward-through mating cavity 314, which is a longitudinally extending structure with terminal slots 312 on both sides. The two end arms of the main body have locking slots 319 that engage with the locking fingers of the plug connector.

[0042] The metal housing 320 covers the main body 310. The metal housing 320 includes a locking space 322 for accommodating a locking member 420 for a plug connector. The locking protrusion 422 of the locking member engages with a locking hole 326 provided on one side of the locking space 322. The opening 324 provided in the metal housing is fixed to the protrusion 318 provided on the end wall of the main body.

[0043] The rear end of the body is provided with a receiving cavity 316, which is communicated with the abutting cavity 314. The rear end of the body is provided with two grooves 311, 313 and a hole 317, which are fixed with the protrusions 356, 359, 346 provided on the terminal module. The terminal module 330 comprises two sub-units 340, 350 and a grounding unit 360 clamped between the two sub-units. The upper sub-unit 340 comprises a plurality of terminals 344 and an insulator 342 integrally formed on the terminals. The protrusions 346, 349 are formed on the insulator 342. The lower sub-unit 350 comprises a plurality of terminals 354 and an insulator 352 integrally formed on the terminals. The protrusions 356 are formed on the insulator 352. The rear end of the insulator 352 is provided with a recessed area 358. The grounding unit 360 comprises a shielding plate 366 made of metal and an insulator 362 injection molded on the grounding plate. The three units are assembled from top to bottom. The rear end of the grounding unit is accommodated in the recessed area 358.

[0044] The plug connector 400 comprises a pair of housings 410, 412 and a terminal module 430 located in the housings. The terminal module 430 comprises a pair of sub-units 440 and a shielding plate 480 clamped between the sub-units. The structure of the sub-units is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, which will not be described in detail. The grounding member 470 is fixed on the sub-units and comprises a spacer 470, which separates the cables and is welded with the transverse bars of the grounding terminals. The grounding member is fixed with the columns provided on the insulators of the sub-units through the openings 474 at both ends thereof. The rear end of the cable 490 comprises a conductive core 492 located in the center and a shielding layer 494 surrounding the conductive core.

[0045] Figure 21For the fourth embodiment, a modified scheme of our patent CN112864713A is used to fix the electronic card or daughter board. The fixing device includes a body 41 and a locking structure 42. The body is installed on the circuit board or main board, and the locking structure 42 is installed on the body and moves in a linear direction between a locked state and an unlocked state. The body includes a support platform 43 that supports the lower surface of the daughter board upward, and a limiting part 431 that accommodates the notch of the rear edge of the daughter board. The support surface 411 cooperates with the tower part 414 to form a sliding groove 415. A pair of arm parts 422 of the locking structure moves along the sliding groove 415. In the locked state, the protrusion 423 at the front end of the arm part is accommodated in the recess hole 416. The base 41 is further provided with a grounding sheet 5 that is electrically connected to the grounding pad of the circuit board and the grounding pad of the daughter board, forming a grounding path. An additional elastic member 6 is located between the base 41 and the locking structure 42. The elastic member 6 extends in a plane, and is seated on the abutting surface 411. One edge B1 of the elastic member 6 abuts against one face S1 of the tower part 414, and the other edge B2 abuts against one face S2 of the locking structure. In this way, the locking structure 42 can be continuously urged to move towards the daughter board, thereby determining that the daughter board is stably fixed. At the same time, the body 41 is also urged to move in the direction of fixing its structure, which helps to ensure that the body 41 is fixed on the circuit board.

[0046] Figure 22 Another fixing device is given. The body 80 is fixed in the through hole of the main board 900 by the harpoon foot 82, and the body cannot move in the horizontal direction. The locking structure 90 is installed on the body 80, and the fixing part 92 of the locking structure 90 can be movably inserted into the sliding groove 84, thereby forming a space for accommodating the daughter board 950 between the locking structure 90 and the main board 900. The body 80 is provided with a space 86 for accommodating the spring 99, and the spring 99 urges the locking structure 90 to move towards the daughter board, thereby fixing the daughter board. The locking structure is provided with an inclined guide surface 97 that faces the daughter board. During the docking process, the inclined guide surface 97 facilitates the smooth assembly of the daughter board into the fixing device downward. The spring 99 can be replaced by other elastic elements. The fixing part 92 is preferably provided with a hook that is fixed with the sliding groove, so as to avoid the fixing part from being separated from the sliding groove 84.

[0047] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and should not be limited to the scope of the present application. That is, any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present application and the content of the present application should still be within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A plug connector comprising a terminal module and cables, the terminal module comprising a pair of sub-units, each of the sub-units comprising a row of terminals arranged in a longitudinal direction and an insulator fixing the terminals, the terminals comprising a plurality of differential pair terminals and a plurality of ground terminals, each two adjacent differential pair terminals forming a differential pair, the ground terminals and the differential pairs being arranged alternately, each of the terminals comprising a contact portion extending forwardly and a tail portion extending rearwardly, the tail portions of the ground terminals being integrally connected to a crossbar, each of the cables comprising two conductive cores and a shield layer surrounding the conductive cores, the conductive cores being welded to the tail portions of the differential pair terminals one by one, the shield layer being mechanically and electrically connected to the crossbar; characterized in that the plug connector further comprising a pair of ground members, each of the ground members being fixed in a corresponding sub-unit, the shield layer of the cable of each of the sub-units being clamped between the crossbar and the corresponding ground member; the ground member comprising a plurality of front spacers and a plurality of rear spacers, the rear spacers being inserted between adjacent cables to mechanically and electrically connect the shield layers of the corresponding cables, the front spacers being mechanically and electrically connected to the tail portions of the corresponding ground terminals.

2. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The front spacers and the rear spacers extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

3. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The front spacers and the rear spacers are formed by stamping and bending from the ground member, and form residual holes.

4. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The rear spacers space the shield layers of adjacent cables apart from each other, and the front spacers space the conductive cores of adjacent cables apart from each other.

5. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The insulator of each of the sub-units is provided with a spacing rib spacing the tail portions of two adjacent differential pair terminals apart, and no spacing rib is provided between the tail portions of the ground terminals and the differential pair terminals.

6. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The plug connector comprises a housing surrounding the terminal module and a shield plate clamped between two of the sub-units.

7. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The front spacers and the corresponding rear spacers are aligned with each other in a front-rear direction.

8. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The tail portions of the differential pair terminals are integrally connected to the crossbar first, and the tail portions of the differential pair terminals are cut off from the crossbar after the insulator is injection molded on the terminals.

9. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein: The terminal module is provided with a mating tongue plate and a locking finger located on both sides of the mating tongue plate in the longitudinal direction, the contact portions of the terminals are arranged on the mating tongue plate, and the locking finger and the mating tongue plate are spaced apart from each other.

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